"Bulgaria Shipping Report Q1 2011" is now available at Fast Market Research

Dec. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Throughput at Bulgaria's main port of Varna, is on course to start recovering its throughput in 2010, after total tonnage volumes and box throughput plunged by 12.9% and 27.5% respectively in 2009. Latest year to date figures (January-September 2010) with tonnage volumes at the port reaching 5.958mn tonnes, an increase of 1.112mn tonnes on last year's figure for this period, indicate that the port is on course to reach BMI's forecast throughput for the whole year, which will see the port reclaim its pre-downturn throughput levels.

The outlook for container volumes at the facility is not so rosy, as although a recovery is afoot, BMI predicts a y-o-y increase of just 10.8% in box volumes, which will not be enough for the port to erase the damage of the downturn on its throughput figures.

2011 will see a further improvement in volumes in our view, with tonnage growth back on track, but box volumes struggling to reach their 2008 highs.

Headline Industry Data

* 2011 port of Varna tonnage throughput forecast 2.3% following a projected growth of 16.9% in 2010.
* 2011 port of Varna container throughput forecast 3.2% following a projected growth of 10.78% in 2010.
* 2011 total trade forecast 2.5%.

Key Industry Trend

Tendering, But Will Investors Bite?

Bulgaria is seeking investors in a bid to upgrade its maritime and waterway sector. While BMI believes that in the long term this type of investment is necessary, we fear that Bulgaria might struggle to find interest for its planned container terminal concessions, with growth in box volumes at Varna expected to be sluggish in the medium term.

Risks To Outlook

Sluggish real GDP growth has already been factored into our trade forecasts for Bulgaria and so therefore our throughput projections at the port of Varna. We fear, however, downside risk could stem from a depressed demand outlook in consumer demand, which we fear will mean that a recovery in box throughput will be slow. Bulgaria's population is forecast to decrease, falling by 4% between 2010 and 2015. At the same time unemployment is to remain relatively high, at 10.5% of labour force in 2010 and 8.3% in 2011. We project it will only sink down to its pre-downturn level of 6% in 2014, stymieing demand for goods shipped by container.

For more information or to purchase this report, go to:
-  http://www.fastmr.com/prod/96457_bulgaria_shipping_report...

Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
- Headline Industry Data
- Key Industry Trend
SWOT Analysis
- Bulgaria Shipping SWOT
- Bulgaria Political SWOT
- Bulgaria Economic SWOT
- Bulgaria Business Environment SWOT
- Global Industry Overview
- Container Shipping Overview Q1 2011
- Key Views
- Dry Bulk Shipping Overview Q1 2011
- Liquid Bulk Shipping Overview Q111
Industry Trends and Developments
Market Overview
- Port of Varna
- Terminals, Storage And Equipment
Industry Forecast
- Table: Major Port Data
- Table: Trade Overview
- Table: Key Trade Indicators
- Table: Main Import Partners
- Table: Main Export Partners
- Macroeconomic Environment
- Table: Bulgaria - Economic Activity, 2007-2015
Company Profile
- A.P. MOLLER-MAERSK
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
- CMA CGM
- Neptune Orient Lines (& APL)
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Evergreen Line
- China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO)
- CSAV Shipping
- China Shipping (CSCL)
- Hanjin Shipping
- Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)
- Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)
Country Snapshot: Bulgaria Demographic Data
- Section 1: Population
- Table: Demographic Indicators, 2005-2030
- Table: Rural/Urban Breakdown, 2005-2030
- Section 2: Education And Healthcare
- Table: Education, 2002-2005
- Table: Vital Statistics, 2005-2030
- Section 3: Labour Market And Spending Power
- Table: Employment Indicators, 2001-2006
- Table: Consumer Expenditure, 2000-2012 (US$)
- Table: Average Annual Wages, 2000-2012

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Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.